Before you buy a used Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W168).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 1 documented, sourced fault across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- It only applies with certain equipment or production dates: ask what this car has.
- 1 official recall on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm it has been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Weak points and campaigns of the A-Class W168Known weak points
- Period mentioned
- 1997–2004
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: First-generation A-Class.
A 140 / 160 / 190 · A 160 / 170 CDI (OM668)
A 140 / 160 / 190 (Petrol) · A 160 / 170 CDI (OM668) (Diesel)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| A 140 / 160 / 190Petrol | 11 with conditions | 1 |
| A 160 / 170 CDI (OM668)Diesel | 11 with conditions | 1 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Mercedes-Benz dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Recall: brake master cylinder at low temperatureBrakes
How to check it: Check VIN; replace affected master cylinder.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 1 checked
Known weak points
Look out for: Rust, worn auxiliary belts, high brake wear, a broken front spring, sunroof and lighting faults; on campaign cars, a long brake-pedal travel in cold weather.
Ask them to check: Check the campaigns by VIN; check rust, springs, brakes and belts before the roadworthiness test.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
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